LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Tim Graham has seen plenty of changes during his nearly four-decade career at Rep Corp., but nothing as much as the way supplier firms now are looked on to provide technical... View Full Details »

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Tim Graham has seen plenty of changes during his nearly four-decade career at Rep Corp., but nothing as much as the way supplier firms now are looked on to provide technical support and guidance.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Tim Graham has seen plenty of changes during his nearly four-decade career at Rep Corp., but nothing as much as the way supplier firms now are looked on to provide technical support and guidance.

$LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Tim Graham has seen plenty of changes during his nearly four-decade career at Rep Corp., but nothing as much as the way supplier firms now are looked on to provide technical support and guidance.

VIENNA, Austria—Semperit A.G. has completed the latest expansion at its manufacturing plant in Odry, Czech Republic, which significantly will boost the firm's capability to produce... View Full Details »

VIENNA, Austria—Semperit has completed the latest expansion at its manufacturing plant in Odry, Czech Republic, which significantly will boost the firm's capability to produce industrial and hydraulic hose at the factory.

VIENNA, Austria—Semperit has completed the latest expansion at its manufacturing plant in Odry, Czech Republic, which significantly will boost the firm's capability to produce industrial and hydraulic hose at the factory.

$VIENNA, Austria—Semperit has completed the latest expansion at its manufacturing plant in Odry, Czech Republic, which significantly will boost the firm's capability to produce industrial and hydraulic hose at the factory.

WASHINGTON—By a 5-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission has made a final determination of material injury to U.S. rubber band makers because of imports from China.The ITC's Dec.... View Full Details »

WASHINGTON—By a 5-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission has made a final determination of material injury to U.S. rubber band makers because of imports from China.

WASHINGTON—By a 5-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission has made a final determination of material injury to U.S. rubber band makers because of imports from China.

$WASHINGTON—By a 5-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission has made a final determination of material injury to U.S. rubber band makers because of imports from China.

Parker Hannifin wasn't the only one restructuring on the non-tire rubber products side.
The firm combined its industrial and hydraulic hose businesses into one division, effective July... View Full Details »

Two of the industry's biggest, non-tire rubber product makers restructured in 2018, while plenty of others embarked on expansions and new deals. We look back at some of the year's key moments.

Two of the industry's biggest, non-tire rubber product makers restructured in 2018, while plenty of others embarked on expansions and new deals. We look back at some of the year's key moments.

$Two of the industry's biggest, non-tire rubber product makers restructured in 2018, while plenty of others embarked on expansions and new deals. We look back at some of the year's key moments.

In the beginning, self-driving vehicles could be spotted only on the streets near Silicon Valley tech companies whose work made them possible. Now they're much more widespread.Autonomous vehicle... View Full Details »

In the beginning, self-driving vehicles could be spotted only on the streets near Silicon Valley tech companies whose work made them possible. Now they're much more widespread.

In the beginning, self-driving vehicles could be spotted only on the streets near Silicon Valley tech companies whose work made them possible. Now they're much more widespread.

$In the beginning, self-driving vehicles could be spotted only on the streets near Silicon Valley tech companies whose work made them possible. Now they're much more widespread.

William Stockwell is one who has always had his priorities in order. During his four decades at his family's firm, he often has opted to make the tough choices.
It's for that type of leadership... View Full Details »

William Stockwell is one who has always had his priorities in order. During his four decades at his family's firm, he often has opted to make the tough choices.

William Stockwell is one who has always had his priorities in order. During his four decades at his family's firm, he often has opted to make the tough choices.

$ William Stockwell is one who has always had his priorities in order. During his four decades at his family's firm, he often has opted to make the tough choices.

FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and Sailun Vietnam Co. Ltd. have agreed to set up a joint venture to oversee the construction of a radial truck/bus tire plant in Vietnam rated at ... View Full Details »

FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire and Sailun Vietnam have agreed to set up a joint venture to oversee the construction of a radial truck and bus tire plant in Vietnam rated at more than 2 million units annually.

FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire and Sailun Vietnam have agreed to set up a joint venture to oversee the construction of a radial truck and bus tire plant in Vietnam rated at more than 2 million units annually.

$FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire and Sailun Vietnam have agreed to set up a joint venture to oversee the construction of a radial truck and bus tire plant in Vietnam rated at more than 2 million units annually.

PHILADELPHIA—When Jerry Krummel attended a trade show meeting with Stockwell Elastomerics Inc., he expected to discuss silicone supply in the upcoming year.
What the sales director for... View Full Details »

PHILADELPHIA—William Stockwell's sense and hands-on attitude are a few of the reasons why he was chosen as the Rubber & Plastics News 2018 Rubber Industry Executive of the Year.

PHILADELPHIA—William Stockwell's sense and hands-on attitude are a few of the reasons why he was chosen as the Rubber & Plastics News 2018 Rubber Industry Executive of the Year.

$PHILADELPHIA—William Stockwell's sense and hands-on attitude are a few of the reasons why he was chosen as the Rubber & Plastics News 2018 Rubber Industry Executive of the Year.

This Report has been authored by:Salvatore J. Monte at Kenrich Petrochemicals Inc.

Hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR) is a high performance specialty elastomer that is used in a diverse array of automotive applications (seals, gaskets, o-rings, hose, timing belts) due to its unique combination of heat (up to 150°C) and oil resistance together with its excellent mechanical and dynamic properties. In order to enhance general processability characteristics of HNBR, a new low viscosity HNBR has recently been developed. Known as HNBR-AT (Advanced Technology), it possesses an acrylonitrile (ACN) content of 34 wt%, a 39 Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4@100°C) and < 0.9% residual double bond (RDB) content. This grade was specifically designed for improved processability meaning easier mixing and quicker cycle times during extrusion as well as injection, transfer and compression molding. Besides being used alone, HNBR-AT is a perfect candidate to improve the processing characteristics of higher viscosity HNBRs. The object of this work is to test this hypothesis and to incorporate ACN and RDB variation into the blended HNBRs in order to assss property and aging effects as well. The results clearly illustrated processing improvement by using low viscosity HNBR in the blends. Enhanced aging resistance against heat and oils was observed when HNBR-AT was blended with a higher RDB HNBR. Lower overall ACN level HNBR blends provided better low temperature properties and slightly higher but tolerable volume swells in the oils tested. The study results suggest the use of HNBR-AT to improve processability, and general properties of current functioning HNBR compounds.